Wear Your PJs to Work to Support Children in Foster Care - Salt 106.5

Wear Your PJs to Work to Support Children in Foster Care

The Pyjama Foundation is encouraging everyone to wear their pyjamas for National Pyjama day to help support children in foster care.

By Micaela AboodyThursday 21 Jul 2022Social JusticeReading Time: 3 minutes

Cozy pyjamas on, fluffy slippers on and your dressing gown on while you’re at work or school sounds like something we only dream about doing – until working from home was introduced.

But there’s an even better reason to don our comfy PJs instead of regular day attire, The Pyjama Foundation is celebrating their 15th annual National Pyjama Day on July 22 and they want you to join in by wearing your pyjamas all day, wherever you are!

Founder and CEO of The Pyjama Foundation Bronwyn Sheehan OAM started the Foundation 18 years ago when a foster carer friend introduced her to a scared little 18-month-old baby, who had just entered the foster care system.

“Looking into this little babies big brown eyes I was like what difference can I do to impact on his life,” Ms Sheehan said.

It was this interaction and the experience with her own children which sparked her idea to start The Pyjama Foundation and National Pyjama Day.

“We call it the comfiest day of the year ‘cause you get to stay in you PJs all day,” she said.

“We call it the comfiest day of the year ‘cause you get to stay in you PJs all day,” – Founder and CEO of The Pyjama Foundation Bronwyn Sheehan

The Pyjama Foundation screens, recruits and trains volunteers called “Pyjama Angels” and matches them up with a child in foster care.

“Many of the children who enter the foster care system are below the average reading level at age seven and they haven’t been exposed to early language literacy or safety,” Ms Sheehan said.

The Foundation’s Love of Learning Program aims to make learning fun with the volunteers reading books, playing puzzles and games and creating craft activities.

“We basically trick them into learning… the Pyjama Angels get more out of it than the children do.”

The Pyjama Foundation screens, recruits and trains volunteers called “Pyjama Angels” and matches them up with a child in foster care.

Ms Sheehan explained they are always looking for more Pyjama Angels who love kids, are over the age of 18, have a BlueCard and need to know how to play UNO.

“It’s fun being a Pyjama Angel, you don’t have to leave your childhood,” she said.

Ms Sheehan said they are hoping for 4000 registrations this National Pyjama Day and are encouraging schools and businesses to get involved.

“The kids love it. It’s kind of fun when you’re in your pyjamas you don’t take yourself too seriously it’s like you’ve snuck out of bed and into work,” she said.

Last year, the National Pyjama Foundation raised $650,000 towards their Love of Learning Program and are hoping to exceed that number to support more children in the foster care system.

Many businesses from day care centres to the Commonwealth Bank in Queensland, regional NSW and Victoria will be taking part in National Pyjama Day.

“It’s for little people and big people, fun for everyone,” Ms Sheehan said.

To find out more or register for National Pyjama Day, visit thepyjamafoundation.com.